‘UAE expected to see 8.3mn tourists by 2023’

The UAE is expected to continue to be the preferred GCC destination for European tourists, welcoming a projected 8.3mn by 2023.

The latest data released by Expedia Group shows that travellers from the UK and France have topped the list for European travel demand into the UAE in Q1 2019.

France saw more than 40 per cent year-on-year growth in demand compared to the same period last year with a five per cent share of total room nights, whilst the UK had almost a 15 per cent share of room nights with a year-on-year growth below five per cent. The data also revealed strong growth in package demand from travellers in Ireland seeing above 40 per cent year-on-year increase followed by Sweden with an increase of above 30 per cent year-on-year.

Around 3.14mn international tourists visited Dubai in January and February this year compared to 3.05mn in the same period last year, 3.01mn in 2017 and 2.68mn in 2016, respectively, increasing visitor numbers.